FORSYTH, Ga. – On February 22, Hancock State Prison (SP) held a ceremony recognizing 96 offenders who have completed On-the-Job Training (OJT) programs. The graduates earned a Technical College completion certificate, certifying the skills learned while employed on their work assignments.

“These programs provide offenders with an opportunity to gain confidence and valuable tools needed to succeed,” said Timothy C. Ward, the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC). “Ultimately, the skills they learn make them more likely to secure employment when they are released, and less likely to return to prison.”

The six-week OJT program at Hancock SP runs from July to December. The offenders choose the OJT program in which they are interested, and receive both classroom and hands-on experience. Programs provided include the following: Barber, Basic Computer Operations, Custodial Maintenance, Firefighter, Groundskeeper and Horticulture.

According to the Correctional Education Association for the United States Department of Education, offenders who participate in educational programs while incarcerated showed lower rates of recidivism after three years and the offender’s wages were higher.

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 10,500 employees. For more information on the GDC, call 478-992-5247 or visit http://www.gdc.ga.gov